This Week in Arts & Culture — Brussels (#28, 2026)
Commission approves Paramount/Warner merger with conditions; AI Act transparency guidelines issued; TikTok preliminary DSA breach findings; Google fined under DMA; AliExpress fined under DSA.
July 19, 2026 to July 25, 2026
Commission approves Paramount/Warner merger with conditions; AI Act transparency guidelines issued; TikTok preliminary DSA breach findings; Google fined under DMA; AliExpress fined under DSA.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 🇪🇺 European Commission
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week
European Commission
Commission approves Paramount's acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, subject to remedies
On 21 July 2026, the European Commission approved the proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery by Paramount Skydance Corporation under the EU Merger Regulation (case M.12278). Approval is conditional on Paramount terminating its stake in United International Pictures (UIP) within 13 months and agreeing not to jointly co-distribute films with Universal for ten years in the EEA. The Commission's assessment addressed concerns about increased concentration in film distribution, notably in several EEA countries where the UIP partnership operates. Commitments offered by Paramount prevent the merged entity from shifting Warner’s film distribution to distributors used by Paramount, Universal, or Disney in designated countries. Compliance will be monitored by an independent trustee under Commission supervision. The Commission found effective competition remains in production, licensing, and pay TV channels. The transaction was notified on 2 June 2026.
Commission publishes AI Act transparency guidelines for providers and deployers
On 19 July 2026, the European Commission issued guidelines clarifying transparency obligations under the AI Act, which apply from 2 August 2026. Providers of AI systems must inform users when interacting with AI and label AI-generated content, while deployers must signal exposure to deep fakes and emotion recognition systems. The guidelines define which systems require marking, outline exceptions, and offer compliance demonstration options including adherence to a Code of Practice. The guidelines complement the Code of Practice on Transparency of AI-generated Content, supported by the Commission and the AI Board. The rules cover labeling for both new and existing AI systems as of December 2026.
Commission sends preliminary findings to TikTok for breach of Digital Services Act regarding minors
On 23 July 2026, the European Commission sent preliminary findings to TikTok stating that minors' accounts on TikTok do not meet the safety standards required under the Digital Services Act (DSA). The Commission’s investigation found minors' 'public' accounts expose their content to a wide audience and risk unwanted contact, including from users outside TikTok. Private accounts remain easily discoverable and profile photos are visible to all. The Commission suggests TikTok should revise default settings so minors' content is visible only to accepted users, and refrain from recommending such content via the platform’s 'For You Feed'. TikTok has been invited to respond to the documents and may face a non-compliance decision and fine of up to 6% of annual global turnover if confirmed. The investigation was launched on 19 February 2024 and included assessment of TikTok’s interface, moderation, and expert interviews.
Commission fines Google €890 million for Digital Markets Act breaches
On 22 July 2026, the Commission found Google in breach of the Digital Markets Act (DMA) regarding self-preferencing on its search engine and restrictions on app developer 'steering' via Google Play. Google was fined €460 million for self-preferencing and €430 million for anti-steering—totaling €890 million. The Commission ordered Google to treat third-party services fairly in search results and allow app developers to promote and contract offers outside the Play Store. Google must comply within 60 days, or risk periodic penalty payments of up to 5% of worldwide turnover. The decisions followed investigations opened in March 2024, preliminary views communicated in March 2025, and extensive market dialogue.
Commission fines AliExpress €550 million for breaches of the Digital Services Act
On 19 July 2026, the European Commission fined AliExpress €550 million for failing to assess and mitigate risks related to illegal or counterfeit products on its platform under the Digital Services Act (DSA). The Commission found deficiencies in risk assessment, poor moderation staffing, ineffective detection systems, and inadequate compliance checks. Traders selling illegal products remained active despite penalties and miscategorisation allowed circumvention of controls. AliExpress must submit an action plan to remedy breaches by 20 October 2026, to be reviewed by the European Board for Digital Services. The investigation drew from formal proceedings initiated in March 2024, data requests, and company risk reports.
What We're Reading This Week
- Bernard Arnault, a 'free-marketeer' who whispers in the ear of every president: Bernard Arnault leverages his business acumen and political influence to shape France's economic policies at the highest level.
